Durham Selectmen Vote 2-1 in Favor of Housing Grant

Durham's Board of Selectmen agreed this week to apply for a housing grant offered by the state's Office of Policy Management.

The $20,000 grant would allow the town to pay for a consultant to study incentive housing zones to allow for "workforce" housing in Durham.

Monday night's approval followed a 4-3 decision by the town's planning and zoning commission last week to move ahead with the application, which is due April 1.

Although the grant could lead to a proposal for mixed use property, selectman John Szewczyk voted against the proposal, saying he was concerned about giving up "what little commercial space we have left."

"Anyone can build what they want pretty much anywhere, without this," he said. "If the market calls for it, they can do it."

Francis has said the grant will give the town to control over future development. She said about a dozen towns planned to apply for the grant including nearby Madison, Clinton and Haddam.

"This is obviously a fact finding mission," said selectman Steve Levy, who supported the proposal. "We already know our problem, we need to expand the tax base, we need affordable housing for older citizens and younger citizens."